3 Month Old Hates Tummy Time

by Jane
(Michigan)

My 3 month old cries immediately whenever I put him on his tummy for the required "tummy time" of 20 minutes each day. He's holding his head up when I carry him, but when I put him on his belly, he just plants his face straight down and shakes his head back and forth. Once in a while he gets mad enough to push up on his forearms, but that's about it.

I let this go on for about 5 minutes and then I pick him up at which point he is so miserable it takes forever to calm him down.

I've tried getting on the floor with him, giving him toys, rubbing his back, putting him on the bed so he's more level with me, but to no avail. What to do?






Baby Help Line Respone:

Jane, you're a wonderful writer, I can really picture your furious little son there on the floor...

Actually, if I were you, I wouldn't force it. Babies learn to hold their heads one way or the other. (Most adults can... ;-) )

Maybe your boy will sit early and crawl late, but that doesn't really matter. Or, in a few weeks, he has gained enough strength to start enjoying some tummy time.

One thing you can try if you do want to put him belly down, is to put him on a relatively firm pillow with his feet on the floor, so that his face is automatically lifted off the ground. That position is not as hard for the young babies and with MOM in front of him singing or making funny faces, he might just endure some of his so hated tummy time. A mirror might also be fun.

But then again if he doesn't, simply trust him - he'll do it when he is ready for it!

Good luck!

/Paula